The 21-year-old wing-back Anan Khalaili was set to join Inter Milan from Union Saint-Gilloise, in a ÂŁ21m record-breaking departure for the Belgian side. However, the Italian champions pulled out of the deal after a series of additional medical examinations.
Nevertheless, according to reporter Marco Barzaghi, the Israel international had already set his eyes on an Anfield move. Barzaghi confirmed that during negotiations between the Inter head coach Christian Chivu and the promising wing-back, the prospect of a future Liverpool move arose.
It was suggested that Inter would provide the developmental conditions for the continued trajectory of Khalaili’s career and evenfulfil the position of a stepping stone for the prospective completion of the youngster’s childhood dream of playing for the Reds.
The youngster caught the attention of Inter after coming through the ranks at Maccabi Haifa, where he impressed and was taken to the U20 World Cup with Israel. The tournament saw him break onto the international stage as part of a young Israeli side that impressed and finished third, with Khalaili tallying a commendable three goals and an assist.
He then made a move to the Belgian league with Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024, where his explosive pace and attacking threat has been utilised in a wing-back role, often playing as part of a back five but occasionally in a back four. Fittingly, he starts the majority of his games to the right of Kevin Mac Allister, the brother of Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister: a Liverpool connection that existed long before any transfer speculation did.
His time at the Belgian club has seen him gain valuable European experience. In his Champions League campaign in the 2025/26 season, he even managed to score two against Marseille and again in a 1-0 win against Atalanta. Such performances and minutes against top level opposition put him far ahead of his age bracket and makes his signing less of a risk than signing a 21-year-old could be.
Undoubtedly, he has impressive output for a wing-back, and it's no surprise that Inter sought him as their replacement for Denzel Dumfries, whom the club also relied on for both attacking returns and defensive solidity down the right flank.
Liverpool themselves could be in the market for a right-back, following the club’s failed attempt to fill the pivotal gap that Trent Alexander-Arnold left with the signing of Jeremie Frimpong. Frimpong was not utilised by Arne Slot last season as effectively as he showed he could be in Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible season in 2023/24, with only one goal contribution in the Premier League.
With Conor Bradley having sustained a long-term injury, and the aggressive style of football that Andoni Iraola wants to play requiring explosive full-backs who are able to press, it is not out of the question for the club to look to signing the Israel international this summer.
With Khalaili actively showing interest, the Inter deal breaking down could represent the opportunity for the Reds to speed up the process and onboard him immediately without the initial stepping stone of the Serie A giants.
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